JUST ENOUGH PUFF FOR THE DRAGONS

MARCH 2022

above: floating near start line

THE WIND CONDITIONS FOR the WA International Dragon Class State Championships sailed on Friday 11 to Sunday 13 March tested the patience of the Race Officer, mark layers, Start Boat crew as well as competitors.

Three races were scheduled commencing late on Friday afternoon, however the slow drift of the 15-boat fleet upriver to the Melville Water racing area was a good indication of what was to come – or more accurately, what was not to come! Race Officer Geoff Brown maintained a positive outlook. The mark layers busied themselves trying to drop the top marks in good positions, but as a few puffs appeared at the top end of the course, anything at the start-line just as quickly disappeared.

General consensus was that there can be far worse places to spend a Friday afternoon. The clouds and the sun were putting on a great picture, if only Trish had the oil paints, canvas and easel with her!

When all racing was called off, the various volunteer and spectator craft towed the yachts back to the Club. At last the wind was in our hair!

Volunteers and sailors arrived early on Saturday morning with great expectations. The wind was forecast to come in and hang around for a while. In fact a remarkable seven races were held. Four in the morning and a further three in the late afternoon. Wind conditions were light, shifty and generally reading around 270/280. After a quick re-laying of the top marks and pin, RO got the seventh race started not long before nightfall. The last race was held in the strongest breeze of the day around 10–15 knots WSW.

The shifty light breeze had a big impact on starting tactics and finishing placings. Whilst the fleet was well behaved and no general recalls

were made, there were several races with boats OCS at both pin end and boat end of the startline.

By the end of the seven races the results showed Scoundrel (Willy Packer) in the lead. The closest rival Gordon* (Richard Lynn) needed to beat Scoundrel by four places in the final heat on Sunday morning. Other places were up for grabs as racing had been close with five different race winners and a few more sharing individual race podium places.

Sunday morning greeted all with a pleasant westerly starting around 7–9knots and building over the morning to 8–12 knots WSW. Although the AP went up, it was just to ensure the wind direction had settled and a good and fair longer course could be set. The Start Boat knew how to keep everyone happy by issuing Snakes to all yachts. I don’t think any missed their target.

It was interesting watching Scoundrel (W Packer) follow the shifts tacking up the middle of the course while Gordon (R Lynn) went out to the far left corner in each of the upwind legs. The tactic initially paid off for Gordon as she raced to a good lead at the top mark. Similarly both yachts took different angles down wind. Gordon held on to her lead for most of the race, but Scoundrel eventually passed her on the way to the finish line.

It was a happy fleet of Dragons that returned to the Club just before lunch. All 15 entrants had completed every race.

WAIDA put on an excellent presentation of Awards and lunch. All were delighted that Andrew Locke, newly appointed WAIDA patron, was present as was Commodore Rob Parker and Dragon Association stalwarts Bun and Dee Lynn. Whilst the fleet missed the participation of past regulars Ron Packer and Robin Hammond, it was great that Robin attended the presentations and went home without a Whim*!

With such a well run Championship and excellent sailing skills on the water, it may have been difficult for WAIDA Patron Andrew Locke to crown the ‘Mug of the Regatta’. However Rob Hubbard sat on the throne, desperately and literally. Thankfully the convenience of the Start Boat provided the convenience required. It was one of the few times Rob was a-head!

Had WAIDA been able to locate the Poor Navigator Trophy it would have been awarded to the Man and Kids in the Tinny. It appears he may have received several robust greetings from passing skippers. Perhaps WAIDA can attach a GPS tracker to the Trophy when it is located.

Some stats before the prizes: Five yachts took line honours in the heats; Gordon (R Lynn) came second in half of the races; seven yachts shared the 1st, 2nd and/or 3rd places across the regatta; four yachts had an OCS to drop; and forty-nine helm and crew took part in the series.

Andrew Locke presented the Tony Fitzgibbon Trophy for the event handicap series to Ray Chatfield sailing Wizzardry with crew Karen Chatfield and Greg Bell. Wizzardry had a great regatta finishing first on handicap in 3 heats as well as taking line honours in Race 7. Tatsu (Andrew Foulkes) was second and Penny Farthing (Rob Campbell) was third.

Commodore Rob Parker presented the Sir Charles Gairdner Trophy for the 66th WA State Dragon Championships to Willy Packer sailing Scoundrel with crew Julian Harding and Jock Packer. Gordon (Richard Lynn) was second and Canewdon Witch (Trish Ford) was third.

WAIDA would like to thank RFBYC and its administration for organising and hosting the Championship. Special thanks are extended to the many volunteers: • Race Officer – Geoff Brown. • Mark Layers – Russell Wellington, John Brodziak, Peter Chalmer, Skip Lissiman, George Vaskovics, Jonathon Strauss, John Longley. • Start boat crew – Sandra Whelan, Peter Massee, Ian Clarke, Glenis Murphy, David Riddle, Manfred Speicher. • Protest Committee – Simon Barwood, Grant Alderson, Tony Jack. • Handicapper – Steve Cole.

The WAIDA Committee expresses its appreciation to prize sponsors John Hay (Yacht Grot) and Steve Cole (Olive Grove) and acknowledges the fantastic photos taken by George Vaskovics and the videos/ photos by Lindsay Preece posted on Ironbark Photos facebook.

Full result tables are available on the Club website. https://rfbyc.asn.au/dragonstate-championship-2022/

FOR SALE COUTA ‘ECLIPSE’

RF19

Built in Huon Pine 1999 by Chris Bowman. ‘Eclipse’ has been continuously upgraded. 1/4 shares $10,000

Phone to discuss Jim Wilshire 0403 048 311

ANZAC REMEMBRANCE DAWN SERVICE

DATE ANZAC DAY – MONDAY, 25 APRIL 2022 VENUE ROYAL FRESHWATER BAY YACHT CLUB – UPPER LAWN, ADJACENT TO THE FLAGPOLE TIME 6.30AM

(DURATION APPROXIMATELY 35 MINUTES. SUNRISE 6.44AM)

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